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Misty chimes in from the backseat, “I wonder if Lincoln’s going to be here.”

I bristle and try not to respond or think about Lincoln and Misty interacting at all.

A guy stumbles beside us and hurls in a bush on the edge of the property. “Looks fun,” I quip, giving her a thumbs up. I’d much rather be in a quiet room studying…preferably with Lincoln watching me.

“Shut up, Summer,” Misty bites back.

Dani shakes her head. “Okay, what is up between the two of you? Both of you can cut it the fuck out. I want to have a good time tonight, and I’m on a mission to find out more about them.”

I lean toward Dani and whisper, “She’s just jealous because every guy she likes wants me.” Straightening up, I turn to Misty. “You’re not special, Misty.”

Misty gets out and slams the door.

Dani looks at me and frowns. Her pretty hair is in one of her loose bohemian braids that falls over her shoulder. The tank top she wore does wonders for her tits, too. For someone who claims she’s not interested in someone, she sure looks like she is.

“Do you have to be so mean to her? Is this about Lincoln? Because you just told us you were with Grant.”

I lean back and fold my arms. “This isn’t about Lincoln. She’s not special, and I don’t like fake people.”

Dani’s face drops as it always does when I’m being ugly. The problem is, deep down, I am ugly, which is why I put so much effort into making myself flawless on the outside.

Making Misty look bad doesn’t make me feel better…not at all. And I’m thinking this part of my personality is why I like the degradation that Mikael gives me.

Mikael sees that side of me; he knows the dark parts of me I desperately try to hide and loves pushing me to bring it out.

Tonight, I want to find out more about Mikael, if that is even his name—but it’s the name I’ve given the shadowed monster in Lincoln’s eyes. I have no proof he’s real, other than my dissolved memory and the fact he reacted to the name when I whispered it.

Misty stands just outside waiting for us, and Dani whispers, “What is with you lately, and what’s your problem with Misty? You only act weird like this when you have a crush on someone and you’re jealous. And I don’t believe you suddenly like Grant, so don’t bullshit me.” She covers her hand over her face. “It’s him, isn’t it? You are talking to Lincoln.”

I raise my eyes at her, and as soon as she says it, she knows. She sucks in a breath and says, “Summer…”

“We flirted,” I finally admit to her. “We have so much in common. He knows my father, and my family’s roots are here. We connected over him, that’s it.”

“Was he the one texting you that weird shit at the beginning of the semester?” Dani asks. “Should I be worried about you?”

A bang on the window. “Are you guys coming?” Misty calls from outside.

“We’re coming,” Dani yells back at her, but she gives me a look and I realize this isn’t over.

“It’s nothing,” I whisper, pulling off my seatbelt. Nothing I can truly explain, anyway. “We spend a lot of time talking, and he’s been helping me with schoolwork. I’m sorry I lied to you, but I’ll explain everything to you soon, and I’ll apologize to Misty.”

“Thank you,” she says, pulling off her seatbelt. “And you’re right, this conversation isn’t over, but let’s have some fun tonight.” She passes me her keys. “Here, take these. I plan on getting ridiculously drunk tonight. If you want to drink, too, I won’t stop you. We can find another way home.”

She’s already surveying the party and has a look in her eye, and I don’t want to question her. I have my own secrets tonight, my own agenda.

I slide out the passenger’s door and, taking a deep breath, face Misty. “I’m sorry for what I just said. Thank you for inviting me.”

Dani smiles and Misty still looks less than impressed but softens at my clear fake apology.

“See, isn’t it easier to be nice?” Dani says as we take a few steps closer. A group of people walk by laughing and my heart stops.

Each of them is wearing a mask, but it’s not him… None of them are him, even though he is everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. Shadows dance from the slits of their eyes.

“Here we go again,” Dani jokes, and we each grab a mask from a box on the edge of the property. I quickly throw it on, hoping it covers me enough. The only evidence is my white hair, which peeks out. A cool wind hits, and I eye one of the fires roaring in a pit a few feet away and the dark brooding house with flickers of light in the windows.

“Is the party inside or outside?” I ask. The house appears dark and ancient. The outdoor speakers are blaring music, like an outdoor festival or some kind of ritual. No one looks like they are in their right mind. But I guess that’s what Shadowface does—he gives people a release.

Dani shrugs. “I honestly don’t know.”